[1]INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–Building healthy associations in the 21st century will be the focus of the Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Directors of Missions’ 43rd annual meeting June 13-14, at the Radisson City Centre, Indianapolis.
“Together … To Pray … To Care … To Share!” will be the theme of the conference, which opens with a 10:30 a.m. worship service Sunday, June 13.
“I believe these three aspects of associational ministry are foundational to a healthy association,” said Jim Freedman, president of the SBCADOM and executive director of the Nashville Baptist Association in Tennessee. “Our responsibility as DOMs is to lead the churches of our association to pray for people, care for people and share Jesus with people.”
The president’s address is slated for the first Sunday afternoon session.
Gary Vidito, minister of music at First Baptist Church in Taylorsville, Ky., will deliver the after-dinner entertainment Sunday evening.
Also featured during the two-day conference will be Jerry Rankin, president of the International Mission Board, O.S. Hawkins, president of the Annuity Board, James T. Draper Jr., president of LifeWay Christian Resources, and Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board.
[2]Thom Rainer, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., will speak about healthy associations sharing Jesus with people during the final session.
The conference’s meetings will be at the Radisson City Centre in Indianapolis.
“This year’s program is being designed to present every DOM in attendance with a satchel full of ideas which he can implement under God’s direction back home in his association,” Freedman said.
In addition to the DOM conference, wives of the directors will meet from 2-5 p.m. Sunday and 9-10 a.m. Monday with the theme “The Sisterhood that is SBCADOM Wives.” The meetings will be hosted by Freedman’s wife, Sandy.
In addition to Jim Freedman, current SBCADOM officers are Nodell Dennis, executive director of the Blue River-Kansas City Baptist Association in Missouri, first vice president; Eddie Miller, executive director of the Sierra Baptist Association in Nevada, second vice president; Ernest Sadler, former executive director of the Jackson County Baptist Association in Pascagoula, Miss., recording secretary; John Brackin, executive director of the Palm Lake Baptist Association in West Palm Beach, Fla., editor of “The DOM Viewpoint”; and Jim Leak, director of missions of the Hill Country Baptist Association in Kerrville, Texas, administrator treasurer.
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